I saw her walking. Fast. Alone. I thought, "Is she really walking toward me?"
My heart stopped.
But she wasn't.
She bent down, picked up a hall ticket that slipped from her bag, turned around, and walked away. Just like that.
I let out a long breath. Not because I was disappointed… but because I didn't even realized I was holding it.
That was enough for me that day.
After that, it became a habit. Every evening, I would walk that road just to see her. Sometimes I'd spot her laughing with her friends, sometimes walking with that same serious face like she had a mission.
I was waiting for the moment when she head outside not to approach her just to see her for more minutes.
And then came that one evening.
She was walking with her friends near the colony road. I don't know what hit me, but I told myself, "Just say hi, idiot."
So I followed from a little behind, waited till she slowed down, and said, "Hi…"
She turned. Looked straight at me.
"Who are you?" she asked.
That felt like someone pulled the brake on my brain.
"You don't remember? That day… near the exam center… the car, the plank, the… ear slapping?"
She stared at me, blinking.
Then suddenly her face lit up. "Ohhh! That blind guy!" she said, like she just solved a mystery.
"Are your eyes working now?" she said with sarcasm.
I smiled awkwardly. "Got my eyes tested. All good now."
She laughed lightly. "Good. Now start watching where you walk."
And with that, she walked away. Just like the first time. Confident. Carefree.
But this time, she smiled.
And that changed everything.
After that day, things didn't suddenly change. It's not like she started texting me or waiting to see me.
But she didn't ignore me either.
The next time I saw her, I gave a small wave like a stupid who used say bye to father in childhood. She looked at me, paused and kept walking.
That was enough.
From that day, I started walking with them. At first, I stayed behind. Quiet. Just close enough to feel like I was part of the group, but not too close to be told to leave.
Chandu didn't say anything. Neither did her friends. They just kept walking. Laughing, teasing each other, complaining about exams, school, some teacher who gives surprise tests every Friday.
I listened. That was my role.
Days passed. I started walking a little closer. Made a comment here and there. A joke. A silly complaint about homework. No one told me to shut up. That felt like progressing man it's working with excitement.
Then, one day, one of her friends I think her name was Swetha actually asked me my name.
I said, "Surya."
Chandu turned and said, "Surya... yeah, Mr. Eye Test."
I smiled.
That evening, we all walked together. And for the first time, it didn't feel like I was forcing myself in. It felt… normal.
From then on, I was there. Every day. Same path. Same people. Same Chandu.